. >>> and president obama ordered the white house flag lowered to half staff today to honor those hurt in the explosions. and he also asserted the nation's strength in the face of this tragedy. >>> american people refused to be terrorized. because what we saw yesterday in the aftermath, the stories were of kindness, generosity, and love. the exhausted runners who kept running to the hospital to give blood. and those who stayed to tend the wounded, some tearing off their clothes to make tourniquets, and the men and women still treating them at some of the best hospitals. so if you want to know who we are, and america is, and how we respond to evil, that is it, selflessly, compassionately. >>> and cars were towed from the streets around pennsylvania avenue, ahead of the emancipation day parade. more on how the country is reacting. >> reporter: jim, the nation's capitol is home to all sorts of big public events and places. today was just a little different. from quiet moments at the korean war memorial, tourists at the nation's capitol were acutely aware regarding the bombing. but there w